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GRIFFONIA SIMPLICIFOLIA

Other Names:

Bandeiraea simplicifolia, Schotia simplicifolia.

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GRIFFONIA SIMPLICIFOLIA Overview Information

Griffonia simplicifolia is a type of plant found in western parts of Africa. The seeds are used as a medicine because they contain a chemical called 5-hydroxytryptophan (5-HTP).

Griffonia simplicifolia seeds are commonly used by mouth for depression, anxiety, weight loss, headaches, and insomnia. But there is limited scientific research to support these uses.

How does it work?

Griffonia simplicifolia contains the chemical 5-HTP. This chemical works in the brain and central nervous system by increasing the production of the chemical serotonin. Serotonin can affect sleep, appetite, pain, and mood. Since 5-HTP increases serotonin, Griffonia simplicifolia is used for some diseases where serotonin is believed to play an important role. These include depression, insomnia, obesity, and other conditions.

GRIFFONIA SIMPLICIFOLIA Uses & Effectiveness

Insufficient Evidence for:

Stress. Some early research shows that taking Griffonia simplicifolia extract can reduce stress in some people.
Motion sickness.
Obesity.
Insomnia.
Depression.
Anxiety.
Headaches.
Stomach issues.
Wound healing.
Other conditions.

More evidence is needed to rate the effectiveness of Griffonia simplicifolia for these uses.

GRIFFONIA SIMPLICIFOLIA Side Effects & Safety

Griffonia simplicifolia is POSSIBLY SAFE when taking by mouth for up to 8 weeks. The safety of taking Griffonia simplicifolia long-term is not known. Some people who have taken Griffonia simplicifolia have developed diarrhea and stomach ache. Also, other side effects might depend on how much 5-HTP is in the Griffonia simplicifolia product used. For example, side effects of 5-HTP have included a fast heart rate, skin reactions, stomach pain, nausea, vomiting, and diarrhea, drowsiness, headache, and muscle problems.

Special Precautions & Warnings:

Pregnancy and breast-feeding: There is not enough reliable information about the safety of taking Griffonia simplicifolia if you are pregnant or breast feeding. Stay on the safe side and avoid use.

Surgery: 5-HTP, a chemical found in Griffonia simplicifolia, can affect a brain chemical called serotonin. Some drugs administered during surgery can also affect serotonin. Although it is not known if Griffonia simplicifolia can cause these effects, taking 5-HTP before surgery might cause too much serotonin in the brain. This can result in serious side effects including heart problems, shivering, and anxiety. Stop taking Griffonia simplicifolia at least 2 weeks before surgery.

GRIFFONIA SIMPLICIFOLIA Interactions

Major Interaction Do not take this combination

Medications for depression (Antidepressant drugs) interacts with GRIFFONIA SIMPLICIFOLIA
Griffonia simplicifolia contains a chemical called 5-HTP which increases a brain chemical called serotonin. Some medications for depression also increase serotonin. Taking Griffonia simplicifolia along with these medications for depression might increase serotonin too much and cause serious side effects including heart problems, shivering, and anxiety. Some of these medications for depression include fluoxetine (Prozac), paroxetine (Paxil), sertraline (Zoloft), amitriptyline (Elavil), clomipramine (Anafranil), imipramine (Tofranil), and others.
Medications for depression (MAOIs) interacts with GRIFFONIA SIMPLICIFOLIA
Griffonia simplicifolia contains a chemical called 5-HTP that increases a chemical in the brain called serotonin. Some medications used for depression also increase serotonin. Taking Griffonia simplicifolia with these medications used for depression might cause there to be too much serotonin. This could cause serious side effects including heart problems, shivering, and anxiety.
Some of these medications used for depression include phenelzine (Nardil), tranylcypromine (Parnate), and others.

Moderate Interaction Be cautious with this combination

Carbidopa (Lodosyn) interacts with GRIFFONIA SIMPLICIFOLIA
Griffonia simplicifolia contains a chemical called 5-HTP which can affect the brain. Carbidopa (Lodosyn) can also affect the brain. Taking Griffonia simplicifolia along with carbidopa might increase the risk of serious side effects including rapid speech, anxiety, aggressiveness, and others.
Dextromethorphan (Robitussin DM, and others) interacts with GRIFFONIA SIMPLICIFOLIA
Griffonia simplicifolia contains a chemical called 5-HTP that can affect a brain chemical called serotonin. Dextromethorphan (Robitussin DM, others) can also affect serotonin. Taking Griffonia simplicifolia along with dextromethorphan (Robitussin DM, others) might cause too much serotonin in the brain and can result in serious side effects including heart problems, shivering, and anxiety.
Meperidine (Demerol) interacts with GRIFFONIA SIMPLICIFOLIA
Griffonia simplicifolia contains a chemical called 5-HTP that increases a chemical in the brain called serotonin. Meperidine (Demerol) can also increase serotonin in the brain. Taking Griffonia simplicifolia along with meperidine (Demerol) might cause too much serotonin in the brain and serious side effects including heart problems, shivering, and anxiety.
Pentazocine (Talwin) interacts with GRIFFONIA SIMPLICIFOLIA
Griffonia simplicifolia contains a chemical called 5-HTP that increases a brain chemical called serotonin. Pentazocine (Talwin) also increases serotonin. Taking Griffonia simplicifolia along with pentazocine (Talwin) might increase serotonin too much. This might cause serious side effects including heart problems, shivering, and anxiety.
Sedative medications (CNS depressants) interacts with GRIFFONIA SIMPLICIFOLIA
Griffonia simplicifolia contains a chemical called 5-HTP that might cause sleepiness and drowsiness. Medications that cause sleepiness are called sedatives. Taking Griffonia simplicifolia along with sedative medications might cause too much sleepiness.
Some sedative medications include clonazepam (Klonopin), lorazepam (Ativan), phenobarbital (Donnatal), zolpidem (Ambien), and others.
Tramadol (Ultram) interacts with GRIFFONIA SIMPLICIFOLIA
Griffonia simplicifolia contains a chemical called 5-HTP that increases a brain chemical called serotonin. Tramadol (Ultram) can also increase serotonin. Taking Griffonia simplicifolia along with tramadol (Ultram) might cause too much serotonin in the brain and might result in side effects including confusion, shivering, stiff muscles, and others.

GRIFFONIA SIMPLICIFOLIA Dosing

The appropriate dose of Griffonia simplicifolia depends on several factors such as the user's age, health, and several other conditions. At this time there is not enough scientific information to determine an appropriate range of doses for Griffonia simplicifolia. Keep in mind that natural products are not always necessarily safe and dosages can be important. Be sure to follow relevant directions on product labels and consult your pharmacist or physician or other healthcare professional before using.

View clinical references for this vitamin or supplement Sources

References:

Carnevale, G., Di, Viesti, V, Zavatti, M., Benelli, A., and Zanoli, P. Griffonia simplicifolia negatively affects sexual behavior in female rats. Phytomedicine. 2010;17(12):987-991. View abstract.

Chae, H. S., Kang, O. H., Choi, J. G., Oh, Y. C., Lee, Y. S., Jang, H. J., Kim, J. H., Park, H., Jung, K. Y., Sohn, D. H., and Kwon, D. Y. 5-hydroxytryptophan acts on the mitogen-activated protein kinase extracellular-signal regulated protein kinase pathway to modulate cyclooxygenase-2 and inducible nitric oxide synthase expression in RAW 264.7 cells. Biol Pharm Bull 2009;32(4):553-557. View abstract.

Iovieno, N., Dalton, E. D., Fava, M., and Mischoulon, D. Second-tier natural antidepressants: review and critique. J Affect.Disord. 2011;130(3):343-357. View abstract.

Pranzatelli, M. R., Tate, E., Huang, Y., Haas, R. H., Bodensteiner, J., Ashwal, S., and Franz, D. Neuropharmacology of progressive myoclonus epilepsy: response to 5- hydroxy-L-tryptophan. Epilepsia 1995;36(8):783-791. View abstract.

Wyatt, R. J., Vaughan, T., Galanter, M., Kaplan, J., and Green, R. Behavioral changes of chronic schizophrenic patients given L-5- hydroxytryptophan. Science 9-22-1972;177(54):1124-1126. View abstract.

Angst J, Woggon B, Schoepf J. The treatment of depression with L-5-hydroxytryptophan versus imipramine. Results of two open and one double-blind study. Arch Psychiatr Nervenkr 1977;224:175-86. View abstract.

Birdsall TC. 5-Hydroxytryptophan: A Clinically-Effective Serotonin Precursor. Altern Med Rev 1998;3:271-80. View abstract.

Cangiano C, Ceci F, Cairella M, et al. Effects of 5-hydroxytryptophan on eating behavior and adherence to dietary prescriptions in obese adult subjects. Adv Exp Med Biol 1991;294:591-3. View abstract.

Cangiano C, Ceci F, Cancino A, et al. Eating behavior and adherence to dietary prescriptions in obese adult subjects treated with 5-hydroxytryptophan. Am J Clin Nutr 1992;56:863-7. View abstract.

Carnevale G, Di Viesti V, Zavatti M, Benelli A, Zanoli P. Influence of Griffonia simplicifolia on male sexual behavior in rats: behavioral and neurochemical study. Phytomedicine 2011;18(11):947-52. View abstract.

Carnevale G, Di Viesti V, Zavatti M, Zanoli P. Anxiolytic-like effect of Griffonia simplicifolia Baill. seed extract in rats. Phytomedicine 2011;18(10):848-51. View abstract.

Ceci F, Cangiano C, Cairella M, et al. The effects of oral 5-hydroxytryptophan administration on feeding behavior in obese adult female subjects. J Neural Transm 1989;76:109-17. View abstract.

De Benedittis G, Massei R. Serotonin precursors in chronic primary headache. A double-blind cross-over study with L-5-hydroxytryptophan vs. placebo. J Neurosurg Sci 1985;29:239-48. View abstract.

den Boer JA, Westenberg HG. Behavioral, neuroendocrine, and biochemical effects of 5-hydroxytryptophan administration in panic disorder. Psychiatry Res 1990;31:267-78. View abstract.

Emanuele E, Bertona M, Minoretti P, Geroldi D. An open-label trial of L-5-hydroxytryptophan in subjects with romantic stress. Neuro Endocrinol Lett 2010;31(5):663-6. View abstract.

Esposito M, Precenzano F, Sorrentino M, Avolio D, Carotenuto M. A medical food formulation of Griffonia simplicifolia/magnesium for childhood periodic syndrome therapy: an open-label study on motion sickness. J Med Food 2015;18(8):916-20. View abstract.

Jangid P, Malik P, Singh P, Sharma M, Gulia AK. Comparative study of efficacy of l-5-hydroxytryptophan and fluoxetine in patients presenting with first depressive episode. Asian J Psychiatr 2013;6:29-34. View abstract.

Johnson KL, Klarskov K, Benson LM, et al. Presence of peak X and related compounds: the reported contaminant in case related 5-hydroxy-L-tryptophan associated with eosinophilia-myalgia syndrome. J Rheumatol 1999;26:2714-7. View abstract.

Lemaire PA, Adosraku RK. An HPLC method for the direct assay of the serotonin precursor, 5-hydroxytrophan, in seeds of Griffonia simplicifolia. Phytochem Anal 2002;13(6):333-7.View abstract.

Pardo JV. Mania following addition of hydroxytryptophan to monoamine oxidase inhibitor. Gen Hosp Psychiatry 2012;34(1):102.e13-4.

Poldinger W, Calanchini B, Schwarz W. A functional-dimensional approach to depression: serotonin deficiency as a target syndrome in a comparison of 5-hydroxytryptophan and fluvoxamine. Psychopathology 1991;24:53-81. View abstract.

Preshaw RM, Leavitt D, Hoag G. The dietary supplement 5-hydroxytryptophan and urinary 5-hydroxyindole acetic acid. CMAJ 2008;178:993. View abstract.

Ribeiro CA. L-5-Hydroxytryptophan in the prophylaxis of chronic tension-type headache: a double-blind, randomized, placebo-controlled study. Headache 2000;40:451-6. View abstract.

Rondanelli M, Klersy C, Iadarola P, et al. Satiety and amino-acid profile in overweight women after a new treatment using a natural plant extract sublingual spray formulation. Int J Obes (Lond) 2009;33:1174-1182. View abstract.

Rondanelli M, Opizzi A, Faliva M, Bucci M, Perna S. Relationship between the absorption of 5-hydroxytryptophan from an integrated diet, by means of Griffonia simplicifolia extract, and the effect on satiety in overweight females after oral spray administration. Eat Weight Disord 2012;17(1):e22-8. View abstract.

Singhal AB, Caviness VS, Begleiter AF, et al. Cerebral vasoconstriction and stroke after use of serotonergic drugs. Neurology 2002;58:130-3. View abstract.

Sternberg EM, Van Woert MH, Young SN, et al. Development of a scleroderma-like illness during therapy with L-5-hydroxytryptophan and carbidopa. N Engl J Med 1980;303:782-7. View abstract.

Titus F, Dávalos A, Alom J, Codina A. 5-Hydroxytryptophan versus methysergide in the prophylaxis of migraine. Randomized clinical trial. Eur Neurol 1986;25:327-9. View abstract.

Trouillas P, Serratrice G, Laplane D, et al. Levorotatory form of 5-hydroxytryptophan in Friedreich's ataxia. Results of a double-blind drug-placebo cooperative study. Arch Neurol 1995;52:456-60. View abstract.

U. S. Food and Drug Administration, Center for Food Safety and Applied Nutrition, Office of Nutritional Products, Labeling, and Dietary Supplements. Information Paper on L-Tryptophan and 5-hydroxy-L-tryptophan, February 2001.

U.S. Food and Drug Administration. Impurities confirmed in dietary supplement 5-hydroxy-L-tryptophan. FDA Talk Paper, August 31, 1998; T98-48.

van Hiele LJ. l-5-Hydroxytryptophan in depression: the first substitution therapy in psychiatry? The treatment of 99 out-patients with 'therapy-resistant' depressions. Neuropsychobiology 1980;6:230-40. View abstract.

Wang XZ, Wu FH, Qu W, Liang JY. A new ß-carboline alkaloid from the seeds of Griffonia simplicifolia. Chin J Nat Med 2013;11(4):401-5. View abstract.

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